LIAA Arbor Day Rocognition Project at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park In Oyster Bay

Over 125 volunteers donated their time and effort at an Arbor Day Recognition Project to care for the trees on the grounds of the Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay on Saturday, March 26, 2011.  Members of the Long Island Aboricultural Association (LIAA) spent the day removing dead and diseased trees and branches, and pruning healthy trees at the Planting Fields Arboretum as part of their ongoing effort to care for and preserve Long Island’s trees and shrubs.  A ceremonial tree planting was part of the day's events.

“The people of Long Island are truly fortunate to have the expertise and volunteer clean-up services of the LIAA,” Senator Owen H. Johnson said.  “Their efforts have improved the environment and have saved  us a significant amount of funds in donated tree work rendered to many different state park facilities and properties over the past 22 years.”

The Long Island Arboricultural Association, Inc. (LIAA) is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to education for the appreciation and care of shade trees and shrubs on Long Island. In addition, they strive to stimulate interest in tree planting and preservation, to encourage research towards appropriate protection of trees and shrubs and to encourage the practices of efficient and proper tree care methods.

Arborists practice arboriculture, which is the care of trees including pruning, removal, insect and disease control, cabling, fertilizing, planting, etc. Highly-trained arborists are much like doctors in that they are able to diagnose insect and disease problems related to trees. Many are also competent appraisers able to assign dollar values to large trees and other valuable ornamental plantings.

For more information about the LIAA, visit their website at:  http://www.longislandarborists.org/

Photograph from left to right:  Vincent Simeone, Director, Planting Fields Arboretum; Michael Gaines, Director, LIAA; Alexis Alvey, Director, LIAA; Adriana Jacykewycz, Director, LIAA; Jean Dodds, Vice President, LIAA; Celeste Richards, Director, LIAA; Deborah Green, President, LIAA; Fred Hyatt, Past-President, LIAA; Paul Okula, Director, LIAA; Jackson Dodds, Director, LIAA; Eric Pomisel, Director, LIAA; and Gordon Canary (for Senator Owen H. Johnson).